The extraordinary double life of Bosnian genocide suspect Radovan Karadzic as an alternative therapist poses the question: is this the final nail in the coffin of complementary medicine?
The personal website of the Bosnian Serb warlord, who lived under the Father Christmas-bearded guise of Dragan Dabic, reads like something from one of Ben Goldacre's Bad Science columns, with its talk of "vital energies" and adverts for charms to harmonise your bioenergy and protect against radiation.
Despite lacking proof of any qualifications or experience, 'Dabic' was soon published in alternative health journals and giving public lectures. During his most recent "healthy living" lecture, "visitors were offered free massages, yoga, t'ai chi and lessons in the Brazilian dance capoeira". While extracts from his columns include advice on "extra-sensory experiences".
The fact this brutal mass murderer chose to disguise himself as an alternative therapist - and was apparently embraced by those in the field - no doubt confirms all the worst assessments of the likes of Goldacre, who view them as charalatans irresponsibly putting their patients' health at risk with bogus miracle cures. Perhaps if they'd sent Goldacre or the Quackometer's Andy Lewis to investigate Kardzic's disappearance they'd have tracked him down years ago.
